The Alabama Shakes is a soul-rock band on the rise

Hailing from Athens, Ala., the Alabama Shakes have built buzz the old-fashioned way: by being really, really good at what they do. Brittany Howard is a gritty, old-soul soul singer, a young vocalist that is very much of the moment but also flush with the sort of emotional currency that enriches real singers, not pretenders.

In guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell and drummer Steve Johnson, she has found a sympathetic, like-minded band. Influential music blog Aquarium Drunkard was an early Alabama Shakes booster; such influential critics as Ann Powers and Jon Pareles subsequently sang the Shakes’ praises as a retro soul band that is more authentic than gimmick.

The Alabama Shakes’ slow-burn soul ballad “You Ain’t Alone,” featured in a national Zales commercial, sounds like a lost Janis Joplin track. The group’s full-length debut album drops early this year on ATO Records.

Meanwhile, the Alabama Shakes visit One Eyed Jacks on Thursday. Hurray for the Riff Raff and Tumbleweeds also are on the bill. Show time is 7 p.m.